Mithun Chakraborty’s whirlwind romance with late actress Sridevi was once upon a time the talk of the town. The couple got married in 1985 and got separated in 1988 after the actor refused to leave his first wife, Yogeeta Bali for the late actress. Read to know the scoop below.

Mithun married Yogeeta in 1979 and the couple has been married for almost four-decade now and shares four children together.

Sridevi was a huge star in Tamil cinema and made her way into Bollywood like a pro. The late actress was one of the first female superstars of her time. Mithun Chakraborty married the Nagina actress while he was already married to actress Yogeeta Bali.

Later when Yogeeta got to know about her husband’s marriage with Sridevi, she tried to attempt suicide. Back in the days, she told a leading daily, “I will accept it even if he has a second wife.”

The reports also mentioned that the Nagina actress had no idea about Mithun Chakraborty’s divorce from Yogeeta Bali and hence married him. Upon knowing the truth, the late actress filed for an annulment in marriage and separated in 1988.

The Disco Dancer actor wasn’t ready to hurt or leave his first wife Bali and therefore Sridevi decided to file for legal separation.

After her separation from Mithun Chakraborty, the late actress got married to producer Boney Kapoor in 1996.

There were also reports that were doing the rounds on social media, where Mona Shourie Kapoor who happens to be Boney’s first wife revealed in an interview with Savvy magazine that Mithun was insecure about Sridevi’s friendship with the producer that he made her tie a rakhi on his wrist.

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The Untold Chapter: When Mithun Chakraborty’s Wife Yogeeta Bali Allegedly Attempted Suicide After His Secret Marriage with Sridevi

The golden era of 1980s Bollywood was a time of blockbusters, disco beats, and dramatic, often turbulent, off-screen love stories that captivated the nation. Few sagas remain as complex and emotionally charged as the rumored relationship between the reigning ‘Disco Dancer,’ Mithun Chakraborty, and the undisputed female superstar, Sridevi. Their clandestine romance and alleged secret marriage became one of the industry’s most explosive secrets, threatening to unravel the established family life of Mithun and his wife, the actress Yogeeta Bali.

The shockwaves from this love triangle were so intense that they allegedly pushed Yogeeta Bali to a desperate, heartbreaking point. This is the deep dive into the real-life drama that played out behind the shimmering curtain of Bollywood, revealing the human cost of a superstar’s secret life.

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Setting the Stage: The Three Titans of the 80s

To understand the magnitude of this scandal, one must first appreciate the stature of the three individuals involved, each a force in their own right.

Mithun Chakraborty: The ‘Disco Dancer’

Born Gouranga Chakraborty, Mithun rose from humble beginnings to become one of the biggest stars in India. Known for his unique dancing style, acting prowess, and his National Award-winning debut in Mrigayaa, he was the quintessential anti-hero and common man’s superstar. By the mid-1980s, he was at the peak of his career, a dominant figure whose success commanded both respect and attention.

Sridevi: The Phenomenal Female Superstar

Sridevi had already conquered South Indian cinema before taking Bollywood by storm. She was a rarity—a female actor whose stardom was potent enough to carry a film to success purely on her name. Her performances in films like Nagina and Mr. India cemented her legacy, making her an icon whose personal life was scrutinized by millions.

Yogeeta Bali: The Steadfast Wife

Yogeeta Bali, herself an actress from the 1970s and 80s with over 80 films to her credit, was no stranger to the film industry. She had a notable lineage as the niece of the legendary actress Geeta Bali and was previously married to the famous singer-actor Kishore Kumar before their divorce in 1978. Her marriage to Mithun Chakraborty took place in 1979, and by the time the Sridevi rumours began, she was a mother and the rock of Mithun’s domestic life.

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The Origin of the Affair: A Spark on the Set

Mithun Chakraborty and Sridevi first met and reportedly grew close on the set of the 1984 film, Jaag Utha Insaan. Their on-screen chemistry quickly transcended into a real-life romance, which became an “open secret” within the film fraternity.

The relationship intensified rapidly, and soon, tabloid gossip columns were rife with speculation that the two stars were madly in love. The key complication, however, was Mithun’s existing marriage to Yogeeta Bali.

The Clandestine Wedding

While the couple never publicly acknowledged their union, multiple reports from the time and subsequent years confirmed an alleged secret marriage. It is widely rumored that Mithun Chakraborty and Sridevi secretly got married through a court marriage in 1985. The duration of this alleged marriage is cited to be from 1985 until its annulment in 1988.

What compounded the tragedy was the later revelation that Sridevi was reportedly unaware that Mithun had not formally divorced his first wife, Yogeeta Bali, before their secret nuptials.

The Rakhi Incident and Insecurity

The secrecy and complexities of the relationship led to immense emotional turmoil. Mithun, known to be a very emotional and at times insecure man, reportedly grew suspicious of Sridevi’s professional camaraderie with producer Boney Kapoor, who was a close friend of Mithun’s at the time.

To prove her loyalty and alleviate his fears, Sridevi allegedly went to the extreme length of tying a rakhi—a sacred thread that symbolises a brother-sister bond in Indian culture—to Boney Kapoor’s wrist. This gesture, intended to appease Mithun’s insecurity, only highlighted the dramatic and fraught nature of their hidden relationship.

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The Breaking Point: Yogeeta Bali’s Desperate Act

The secret was too big to remain buried for long. When the news of Mithun Chakraborty’s alleged second marriage reached his first wife, Yogeeta Bali, it triggered an emotional catastrophe.

The Attempted Suicide

According to multiple contemporary reports and subsequent celebrity biographies, Yogeeta Bali was left so “devastated” upon learning about her husband’s new marital venture that she reportedly attempted to take her own life. The shock of a public scandal combined with the pain of betrayal was too much for her to bear, turning their private turmoil into a national headline.

The Shocking Public Statement

In an incredible display of resilience and perhaps a desperate bid to save her marriage and family, Yogeeta Bali gave an interview to a leading film magazine of the time, Star & Style, which became legendary. When asked about the rumours, she made a statement that redefined marital commitment in the face of scandal:

“I will accept it even if he takes on a second wife.”

This statement, coming after her alleged suicide attempt, was a poignant reflection of her determination to stand by her husband and protect her family, despite the immense personal humiliation and pain. She later reportedly said that she was so happy in her “small world” with her husband that she would allow him a second marriage for his happiness, stating that if she were to leave him, “it would be her loss, not his.” This act of ‘unconditional’ love or acceptance was the final turning point in the dramatic triangle.

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The Resolution: Choosing Family

The moment of truth arrived when Mithun Chakraborty was forced to choose between the passion of his secret relationship and the loyalty and foundation of his first marriage.

• The Final Choice: Mithun was deeply shaken by Yogeeta’s alleged suicide attempt and her public declaration of unwavering support. He reportedly was unwilling to hurt or leave the woman who had stood by him like a pillar, especially after her desperate plea for his return.
• The Annulment: Faced with the difficult reality that Mithun would not leave his wife and that their marriage was legally complicated by Mithun’s existing union, Sridevi made the decision to end the relationship. She filed for an annulment, and the alleged secret marriage was dissolved in 1988, marking the end of the tumultuous three-year chapter.

The breakup was reportedly very difficult for Sridevi, who was described by a co-star as being “broken” by the separation, despite her professional commitment remaining unwavering on set.

A New Beginning and A Rescued Marriage

Following the annulment, Sridevi moved on and eventually married film producer Boney Kapoor in 1996.

Meanwhile, Mithun Chakraborty’s marriage with Yogeeta Bali not only survived the public scandal but emerged stronger. The couple reconciled, focusing on their family life and successfully navigating the ensuing years. They continued to have a family, with three sons—Mahaakshay, Ushmey, and Namashi—and an adopted daughter, Dishani. Yogeeta Bali chose to step away from her acting career to dedicate herself fully to her family, effectively shielding her children from the constant glare of the spotlight and gossip.

Their enduring marriage, spanning over four decades, stands as a testament to Yogeeta Bali’s strength, resilience, and the ultimate decision Mithun made to prioritise the foundation he had built. It remains one of the most compelling and dramatic examples of love, loss, and sacrifice in the annals of Hindi cinema.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: Did Mithun Chakraborty really marry Sridevi while he was still married to Yogeeta Bali?

A: Yes, according to widely circulated reports and accounts from the time, actor Mithun Chakraborty allegedly had a secret court marriage with actress Sridevi around 1985, while he was still legally married to his first wife, Yogeeta Bali, whom he married in 1979.

Q2: What was the reason behind Yogeeta Bali’s alleged suicide attempt?

A: Reports suggest that Yogeeta Bali was extremely devastated upon discovering the news of Mithun Chakraborty’s alleged secret marriage to Sridevi. Her reported attempt to take her own life was a desperate, immediate reaction to the betrayal and turmoil of the situation.

Q3: How did Yogeeta Bali react publicly to the news of the affair?

A: Despite the emotional turmoil and the reported suicide attempt, Yogeeta Bali made a shocking and defiant public statement in an interview, where she said that she was so committed to her husband that she would “accept it even if he takes on a second wife.” This statement is credited with helping Mithun Chakraborty decide to remain with her.

Q4: Why did Mithun Chakraborty and Sridevi’s marriage end?

A: The alleged secret marriage between Mithun Chakraborty and Sridevi ended in 1988 with an annulment. The primary reason was Mithun’s refusal to leave his first wife, Yogeeta Bali, who had chosen to stand by him despite the scandal. Sridevi filed for legal separation once she realised Mithun would not divorce Yogeeta.

Q5: How long have Mithun Chakraborty and Yogeeta Bali been married?

A: Mithun Chakraborty and Yogeeta Bali have been married since 1979 and have remained together through the decades, surviving the scandal with Sridevi. They share three sons and an adopted daughter.